Loss of a loved one is always difficult. One Bachelor In Paradise star is still mourning their lost love. They marked the anniversary of their longtime partner’s passing and shared grief over the unspeakable loss.
Bachelor In Paradise Star Shares Grief Over Death Of Partner
April Kirkwood was a firecracker when she was on Gerry Turner’s season of The Golden Bachelor. She went into the show hoping to find love again later in life but didn’t find a connection with Gerry. She returned for Season 10 of Bachelor In Paradise. In a franchise first, the tenth season features Golden contestants and the younger stars from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
In an interview in 2024 after Gerry’s season, April opened up about her love life before the show. She said, “My first marriage lasted 18 months (I was in college). My second husband and I had two children together and divorced after 17 years of marriage. Most recently, I was dating Ralph for 20 years until his passing.”
The reality star admitted that she was very depressed after the loss of her partner, whom she referred to as her husband due to their long romance. In a vulnerable Instagram post, April Kirkwood honored Ralph on the anniversary of his passing.
“Today is one of the most poignant days of my life. I lost my partner on July 28 four years ago at 7:15 pm,” she wrote in the caption of a photo of them together in happier times.
“Thank you God for teaching me about grief and realizing there is no real death but only separation of the physical self,” she added about the heartbreaking loss.
April’s Loss Played A Role In Giving Jonathon A Rose
In a shocking move, April, 67, gave her rose to Jonathon Johnson, 28, during a recent rose ceremony. Jonathon clarified that it was a friendly gesture. He said that he was ready to leave the show before April offered him her rose.
When asked why she did it, April invoked her late partner. She said that Jonathon reminded her of Ralph, and she felt moved to help Jonathon stay on the beach to find love.
Does She Find Love On Bachelor In Paradise?
Warning: This section has SPOILERS for Season 10 of Bachelor In Paradise. Stop reading now if you don’t want to know.
April Kirkwood and Jonathon Johnson have both said their relationship is as friends only. Does she find love with another contestant on Bachelor In Paradise?
Despite flirting with several of the men on the show, April remains single. Reality Steve reported that none of the Golden contestants got engaged at the end of Season 10. In fact, April Kirkwood is among the contestants leaving after the next rose ceremony.
Hopefully, she will find love again after such a huge loss.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger